The UAE and the Philippines have entered into a partnership to restore the Pasig River, a historically significant waterway in Manila that has suffered from pollution and urban degradation.
According to an ARN report, the collaboration, led by Erth Zayed Philanthropies, aims to implement both preventive and corrective measures to rejuvenate the river while fostering economic opportunities for local communities.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed during the World Governments Summit in Dubai. Present at the event were First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos of the Philippines and Saeed Rashid Al Zaabi, Advisor to the Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs. The agreement was formalized by Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, Secretary of the Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Managing Director at Clean Rivers.
As part of the initiative, Clean Rivers, a global non-profit under Erth Zayed Philanthropies, has pledged up to $20 million to improve the river’s ecosystem and enhance the livelihoods of those who depend on it. The effort aligns with the Philippines’ National Plan of Action for the Prevention, Reduction, and Management of Marine Litter, which seeks to cut marine litter by 50% by 2030 and eliminate waste in Philippine waters by 2040.
The Pasig River, once a thriving economic and ecological hub, has been heavily impacted by urbanization, industrial waste, and poor waste management. Since its establishment in 2023, Clean Rivers has worked to transform polluted waterways into sustainable ecosystems while empowering local communities.
This initiative is part of Erth Zayed Philanthropies’ broader mission to drive global environmental progress and uphold the legacy of the UAE’s Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
